Controller effectively controlling the power for a washing machine or a dryer, and a method for doing the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a controller effectively controlling the power for a washing machine and a drier, and a method of doing the same. More particularly, it relates to a controller for a washing machine or a dryer, and a method for supplying the power so that a washing machine and a drier as a one body may perform an optimal efficiency in a range of a current limit, when supplied the power by the same power source. A controller for a washing machine comprising a micom; and communication means for communicating with a controller of a dryer. A controller for a dryer comprising a micom; and communication means for communicating with the controller of the washing machine.

This application is a divisional of co-pending application Ser. No.11/269,838, filed on Nov. 9, 2005, which claims the benefit of thePatent Korean Application No. P2004-091991, filed on Nov. 11, 2005,which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a controller effectively controllingthe power for a washing machine or a drier, and a method of doing thesame, and more particularly, to a controller for a washing machine or adryer, and a method for supplying the power so that a washing machineand a drier as a one body may perform an optimal efficiency in a rangeof a current limit, when supplied the power by the same power source.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a related art device combining awashing machine and a dryer.

As sown in FIG. 1, a washing machine 10 and a dryer 20 are included. Ata top of the washing machine 10 are formed a display part 11 fordisplaying operation of the washing machine and an opening part 12 forhaving the laundry loaded therein or vice versa. At a top of the dryerare formed a display part 21 for displaying operation of the dryer 20and an opening part 22 for having the laundry loaded therein or viceversa.

In general, every electric home appliance has an optimal performancecurrent for performing the optimal efficiency. There are some cases ofnot supplying an optimal performance current due to other reasons, andthat is caused by a current limit.

The current limit is an electric current value limited for securing thecustomer, preventing a fire caused by overheating an electric homeappliance, and an accident of an electric shock caused by electricleakage due to overflowing currents in the electric home appliances. Adesigner of an electric home appliance should set an optimal performancecurrent in a range of a current limit value. Especially, the sum totalof the whole currents for an electric home appliance combining more thantwo products should not exceed the current limit, even in case that themore than two machines are put into operation at the same time.

For example, under the regulations a current limit of an averageAmerican house should not exceed 15 amps (A), and in that case, the sumtotal of a current consumption for the electric home appliance shouldnot exceed 15 amps.

For example, when designing a device combining a washing machine and adryer, the current consumption in case of putting the washing machineand the dryer into operation at the same time should meet the currentlimit. Thus, each electric home appliance has an optimal performancecurrent, and since the security of the customers has to be put intoconsideration, the device should be designed to find an optimum levelbetween its optimal performance current and the current limit and toperform the optimal efficiency within the range.

Generally, the optimal performance current is determined by independentoperation of each product. If more than two products are operated at thesame time and the current value satisfying each optimal performancecurrent of the products is provided, the current value would exceed thecurrent limits of the products. Also, even in case that each product isnot operated at the same time to satisfy the current limit values ofeach product, an amount of currents is reduced in advance, preparingagainst the case of operating the products simultaneously. Therebypermanent current loss may be cased as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, a method of supplying the power for the related artwashing machine and dryer will be described.

A product 1 (a washing machine) and a product 2 (a dryer) drive by meansof lower currents 32 and 42 than each optimal performance currentthereof 33 and 43, even when the product 1 and 2 are operatedseparately. That is, even when either of the two products is operated,the two products are designed to drive by the regularly lower currents32 and 42 than the optimal performance currents 33 and 43 for beingprepared against the case of operating the two products simultaneously.Thus, the following problem may be caused. Since the current loss 31 and41 of the products are expected in advance, neither of the two productsmay perform its optimal efficiency although either of the products isoperated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a controllereffectively controlling the power for a washing machine or a dryer, anda method for doing the same.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of controllingthe power for a washing machine or a dryer to be operated at an optimalperformance in a range satisfying a current limit.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, acontroller for a washing machine comprising a micom wherein an optimalperformance current value for the washing machine and an electriccurrent limit for concurrent operation of the washing machine and adryer are set therein; and communication means for communicating with acontroller of the dryer, wherein the micom determines through thecommunication with the dryer the electric current value to be suppliedto the washing machine according to an operation state of the dryer.

The micom determines the electric current value to be supplied to thewashing machine as the optimal performance current value of the washingmachine, once a motor for driving a drum of the dryer is judged not tobe operated.

Also, the micom determines the electric current value to be supplied tothe washing machine, corresponding to a ratio of between the optimalperformance current values of the dryer and the washing machine, oncethe motor for driving the drum of the dryer is judged to be operated.

Alternatively, the micom determines the electric current value to besupplied to the washing machine as one of the optimal performancecurrent value of the washing machine and the electric current valuegiven after subtracting the optimal performance current value of thedryer from the current limit value, once the motor for driving the drumof the dryer is judged to be operated. As described above, thedetermination may be made by setting it in the micom in advance, or byinputting it outside, for example, an input button or determinationmeans such as an auxiliary home network.

In another aspect of the present invention, a controller for a dryercomprising a micom wherein an optimal performance current value for thedryer and an electric current limit for concurrent operation of thewashing machine and the dryer are set therein; and communication meansfor communicating with the controller of the washing machine. The micomdetermines through the communication with the washing machine theelectric current value to be supplied to the dryer according to anoperation state of the washing machine.

Just like in the controller of the washing machine, the micom of thecontroller for the dryer determines the electric current value to besupplied to the dryer as the optimal performance current value of thedryer, once a motor for driving the drum of the washing machine isjudged not to be operated.

Also, the micom determines the electric current value to be supplied tothe dryer out of the electric current limit, corresponding to a ratio ofthe optimal performance current values between the dryer and the washingmachine, once the motor for driving the drum of the washing machine isjudged to be operated.

Alternatively, the micom determines the electric current value to besupplied to the dryer as one of the optimal performance current value ofthe dryer and the electric current value given after subtracting theoptimal performance current value of the washing machine from thecurrent limit value, once the motor for driving the drum of the washingmachine is judged to be operated. The determination may be made bysetting it in the micom in advance, or by inputting it outside asdescribed above in the controller of the washing machine.

On the other hand, a method of controlling the power for a washingmachine or a dryer comprising a first step; a second step; and a thirdstep. The first step is for setting in the micom each optimalperformance current value of the washing machine and the dryer, and acurrent limit value for the washing machine and the dryer to be operatedsafely when operating the washing machine and the dryer simultaneously.Hence, the second step is for exchanging and communicating operationinformation of the washing machine and the dryer by using acommunication port connected to each micom of the washing machine andthe dryer. The third step is for of supplying currents to the washingmachine and the dryer in a range of the current limit according to theoperation information.

In the third step, in case only the washing machine is operated, thewashing machine is supplied its optimal performance current value. Incase only the dryer is operated, the dryer is supplied its optimalperformance current value. Then, in case the washing machine and thedryer are operated simultaneously, the current value is divided andsupplied to each of the washing machine and the dryer.

In the third step, in case the currents are divided and supplied to eachof the washing machine and the dryer, the current limit value is dividedby a ratio of each optimal performance current value of the washingmachine and the dryer.

Furthermore, a priority setting step of setting priority is furthercomprised between the first and second step. Thus, in case the washingmachine and the dryer are operated simultaneously in the third step, oneof the washing machine and the dryer chosen by the priority in thepriority setting step is supplied its optimal performance current, andthe other product is supplied the currents given after subtracting theoptimal performance current value from the current limit value.

In the priority setting step, the priority may be set through a homeserver of a home network system.

On the other hand, the communication means according to the presentinvention is employed for communicating if the driving part of thewashing machine and the dryer is operated or not. But, the communicationmeans may communicate data more than that.

One example for the washing machine and the dryer to communicating eachother will be described. The one product sends an electric signalthrough a communication cable for allowing the other product to know ifa motor of the one product is switched on. Hence, the other productreceives the signal to judge of the motor of the one product isoperated, and then determines which current value to use.

According to the present invention, in case that one of the products isoperated, or the products are operated at the same time, the currentsare supplied for performing the optimal efficiency, thereby preventingthe permanent current loss. Also, accidents caused by over-supplyingcurrents are prevented, and the security of the customers is kept.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device combining aconventional washing machine and dryer.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating a method of controlling the power for arelated art washing machine and dryer.

FIG. 3 is a graph of a current when only a washing machine is operatedby a method of controlling the power for a washing machine and a dryeraccording to the present.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the method of controllingthe power for the washing machine and the dryer according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the method of controlling the powerfor the washing machine and the dryer according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another method of supplying thepower for the washing machine and the dryer according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing that each controller of awashing machine and a dryer controls the power of the washing machineand the dryer. The controller includes a micom and communication means.

As shown in FIG. 4, the washing machine 100 includes a micom 110, acommunication port 120 connected to the micom for communicating with thedryer 200, and a power supply unit 130 for supplying the power to thewashing machine.

Also, the dryer 200 includes a micom 210, a communication port 220connected to the micom for communicating with the washing machine 100,and a power supply unit 130 for supplying the power to the dryer 200.

The communication port 120 of the washing machine and the communicationport 220 of the dryer are connected by a communication cable to exchangeand communicate operation information each other. The power supply units130 and the 230 are operated to supply the power needed for each of thewashing machine and the dryer by means of the control of each micom 110and 210.

First of all, each optimal performance current value for the washingmachine and the dryer, and a current limit value are set in the eachmicom 110 and 210. Each optimal performance current value is for thewashing machine and the dryer to perform the optimal efficiency, and thecurrent limit value is a maximum vale of currents to use the twoproducts safely when the two products are operated simultaneously.

The micoms 110 and 210 divide the currents supplied to the washingmachine and the dryer for performing an optimal efficiency within arange of the current limit, and instruct to supply the currents to thewashing machine and the dryer. The micoms 110 and 210 check through thecommunication ports 120 and 220 in advance whether the washing machineand the dryer are required to be operated or not. If only the washingmachine is required to be operated, the micoms 110 instructs the powersupply unit 130 to supply the washing machine its optimal performancecurrent. Whereas, if only the dryer is required to be operated, themicom 210 instructs the power supply unit 130 to supply the dryer itsoptimal performance current. If both of the washing machine and thedryer are required to be operated simultaneously, the micoms 110 and 210instruct the power supply units 130 and 230 of the washing machine andthe dryer to supply the currents that remains after dividing the currentlimit by each optimal performance current ratio of the washing machineand the dryer to each of the washing machine and the dryer.

Referring to FIG. 3, a case will be described that a product 1 (thewashing machine) is operated and a product 2 (the dryer) is notoperated.

Once it is judged that the washing machine is required to be operatedand the dryer is not, the washing machine is supplied its optimalperformance current value 61.

That is, since the micoms of the products 1 and 2 check the interactionof the products 1 and 2, and supply each optimal performance current ofthe two products, the permanent current loss 31 and 41 shown in FIG. 2may not be created. Although the currents are supplied in that way, thecurrents may not exceed the current limit 63, thereby possible to supplythe currents safely and efficiently.

Also, auxiliary control means may be provided outside of the washingmachine and the dryer as necessary. The auxiliary control means givesthe priority to the washing machine or the dryer, and allows either ofthe two products 1 and 2 operated by its optimal performance current.Alternatively, the priority may be set in advance in each micom of theproducts 1 and 2. Alternatively, an input button may be provided for auser to input the priority directly.

FIG. 4 shows a case that the control means is provided by using a homenetwork system. The home network system is a system that controls andmanages electric home appliances such as a washing machine, arefrigerator, a television, a VCR, an electric heater, and a lightningunit in a building by using a communication unit such as a mobile phone,and a public phone outside the building after connecting the electrichome appliances with a cable or wirelessly.

The home network system requires a home server 300 connected with anoutside communication network, for example a refrigerator, forcontrolling the electric home appliances connected with a home networksystem and exchanging information. A micom 310 provided in the homeserver 300 is connected to the micoms 110 and 210 of the washing machineand the dryer in a home network system. The micom 310 also controls thepower supply of the two products 1 and 2 according to the presentinvention.

More specifically, the user inputs the priority into the micom 310 ofthe home server 300, and then it is determined by the inputted prioritywhich of the washing machine and the dryer is put into operation in itsoptimal efficiency. In case that the washing machine and the dryer areoperated simultaneously, the priority is applied. In that case, themicoms 110 and 210 instruct the power supply unit of the product 1 or 2determined by the priority to supply its optimal performance current tothe product determined by the priority inputted in the micom 310 of thehome sever 300. Hence, the micoms 110 and 210 also instruct the powersupply unit of the other product 1 or 2 to supply the remaining currentsexcept the optimal performance current to the other product 1 or 2.Thus, the optimal performance current may be supplied to the one productdetermined prior to the other product.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, a method of a power supply for a washingmachine and a dryer according to the present invention will bedescribed.

First, the method includes a first step (S1) in which a current limitvalue and each optimal performance current of the washing machine and adryer are set in micoms each provided in the washing machine and thedryer. The current limit value is a maximum value used in the twoproducts 1 and 2 when the two products 1 and 2 are operatedsimultaneously, and a value set for the two products to be operatedsafely. Also, each optimal performance current is a current valuedesigned for each product to perform its optimal efficiency. Eachoptimal performance current value should be in a range of the currentlimit value.

Next, a second step (S2) is included in which operation information ofthe washing machine and the dryer is exchanged and communicated by usingcommunication ports connected each other provided in each micom. Theoperation information is a signal showing whether the washing machine orthe dryer is operated or not.

Next, a third step is included in that currents are supplied in a rangeof the current limit according to operation information of the washingmachine and the dryer.

In the third step, the currents are supplied as follows. First, it ischecked if the washing machine is required to be operated (S3). Then, itis checked if the dryer is required to be operated in case that thewashing machine is not required to be operated (S4). In case the dryeris required to be operated, the optimal performance current of the dryeris supplied to the dryer (S5).

In the S3 step, in case that the washing machine is required to beoperated, it is checked again if the dryer is required to be operated(S6). Judged that the dryer is not required to be operated, the optimalperformance current of the washing machine is supplied to the washingmachine (S7).

In case that the washing machine and the dryer are all required to beoperated, after dividing the current limit by each optimal performancecurrent value of the washing machine and the dryer, the given currentsare supplied to each of the washing machine and the dryer (S8).

As shown in FIG. 6, the user may put more emphasis on either of thewashing machine and the dryer as necessary, in case that the twoproducts are operated simultaneously. For that, a priority setting step(S12) may be further included between a step (S11) of FIG. 6corresponding to the step 1 of FIG. 5 and a step (S13) of FIG. 6corresponding to the step S2 of FIG. 5. In the step (S12), auxiliarycontrol means may be further provided in the washing machine and thedryer for setting the priority. The control means may use the micom inthe home server of the home network system for controlling.

When the washing machine and the dryer are operated simultaneously,according to the priority, either of the two products is supplied itsoptimal performance current. Hence, the other product is supplied thecurrents given after subtracting its optimal performance from thecurrent limit value (S19).

The method of controlling the power for the washing machine and thedryer according to the present invention may be applied by using acommunication module connecting the micoms of the washing machine andthe dryer each other, in case that the power is supplied by the samecurrent source after connecting a conventional washing machine and aconventional dryer.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A controller for a washing machine comprising: a micom wherein anoptimal performance electric current value for a washing machine and anelectric current limit for concurrent operation of the washing machineand the dryer are set therein; and communication means for communicatingwith a controller of a dryer, wherein the micom determines through thecommunication with the dryer an electric current value to be supplied tothe washing machine according to an operation state of the dryer.
 2. Acontroller for a dryer comprising: a micom wherein an optimalperformance electric current value for a dryer and an electric currentlimit for concurrent operation of the washing machine and the dryer areset therein; and communication means for communicating with thecontroller of the washing machine, wherein the micom determines throughthe communication with the washing machine an electric current value tobe supplied to the dryer according to an operation state of the washingmachine.
 3. The controller for the washing machine of claim 1, whereinthe micom determines the electric current value to be supplied to thewashing machine as the optimal performance current value of the washingmachine, once a motor for driving a drum of the dryer is judged not tobe operated.
 4. The controller for the dryer of claim 2, wherein themicom determines the electric current value to be supplied to the dryeras the optimal performance current value of the dryer, once a motor fordriving a drum of the washing machine is judged not to be operated. 5.The controller for the washing machine of claim 3, wherein, the micomdetermines the electric current value to be supplied to the washingmachine out of the electric current limit, corresponding to a ratiobetween the optimal performance electric current values of the washingmachine and the dryer, once the motor for driving the drum of the dryeris judged to be operated.
 6. The controller for the dryer of claim 4,wherein, the micom determines the electric current value to be suppliedto the dryer out of the electric current limit, corresponding to a ratiobetween the optimal performance current of the dryer and the washingmachine, once the motor for driving the drum of the washing machine isjudged to be operated.
 7. The controller for the washing machine ofclaim 3, wherein, the micom determines the electric current value to besupplied to the washing machine as one of the optimal performancecurrent value of the washing machine and the electric current valuegiven after subtracting the optimal performance current value of thedryer from the current limit value is supplied to the washing machine,once the motor for driving the drum of the dryer is judged to beoperated.
 8. The controller for the washing machine of claim 4, wherein,the micom determines the electric current value to be supplied to thedryer as one of the optimal performance current value of the dryer andthe electric current value given after subtracting the optimalperformance current value of the washing machine from the current limitvalue, once the motor for driving the drum of the washing machine isjudged to be operated.